RIP Ming

I open this update with sad news; our favourite chicken went missing at "putting away" time and after much searching we found her, with her throat ripped out, hidden away behind the outbuildings. Ming was the friendly one who always sat on A's lap when they first hatched, and she was the independent one as she grew older. Of course, this is life and chickens getting killed is part of keeping them but we were still very sad about losing her.

Young Ming, sadly deceased this week

The final photograph - Ming comes to say hello

Here's to Ming; you made us smile!

Sassy is damp from the storm, but unharmed from the attack

Thelma in a rare playful mood

Louise with her huge smile

A really stunning light across the valley

Hail on the windowsill

The week started with a huge storm in the night and a dramatic moment where, as the thunder struck within half a second of us, Sassy suddenly started screaming. It was about 3am and I ran out to find out what was going on; she was thrashing around but it was so dark and raining so hard that I couldn't see what was going on. The puppies joined me and suddenly chased something right across the balcony and over the edge. I have no idea what it was, and Sassy seems fine with no wounds, but still it was amazingly dramatic. It was a long working day for me which went on far too late as a deadline loomed at the end of the week but there was time for playing with the puppies and sitting outside for lunch. Very shortly after that March struck again and we had a huge hail storm. About ten minutes after this picture was taken the sun was back out and there was barely a cloud in the sky.

A very threatening bird in the skies

Swooping around, but nothing for them this time

Moon, and birds in the trees

More Saharan dust in the skies

Tuesday was another busy working day but also another glorious day. While I was sat at my desk I looked up and saw a bird of prey circle past so A went outside to check the birds and prevent it from swooping either on them, or on the girls who were on the top bank. It was a beautiful day and the moon showed up bring and nearly full - forgive me for arty-farty with the birds in the plum tree. I could not resist at all. We had threats of more storms and more dust from the Sahara heading our way and that evening as the sun went down the clouds in the distance were red with more than sunset. Beyond that it was a day at the desk and I sat for so long I even lifted the desk to standing (which I haven't done for a while) as my legs started getting sore from sitting so long.

Early golden sunset

Bright blossom, and early spring green

Later on with the sunset

Wednesday was even more busy, and both A and I were working hard. We did go to drop Thomas at the garage, finally, to get his shoes changed from winter to summer and on the way were amazed by the amount of run-off along the road so, on the way back, we stopped so I could get a picture. Also the puppies were playing really well with a ball each, Louise is getting into this playing thing more and more. Apart from that all I have are these pictures taken in the evening of the sunset, and of the False Plum trees along the back bank. With all the storms and high winds we have had (and we've had a lot this week) our blossom has been battered on the real fruit trees but these are still as bright and yellow today as they were at the beginning of the week.

Looking proudly at the quality of this soil after two years of work

I've planted these all out

A getting her digging on

Ming checking out the digging

We really are pleased with how the Hugelkultur has matured

Stunning sunset to cheer us up

A huge sky, beautiful and peaceful

As it is Easter Weekend this weekend A took Thursday off work and was able to get out into the garden in the lovely weather. I was pretty much stuck to my desk, btu went down to help empty the wheelbarrow whenever I was called. At lunch time I planted out the bulbs that A had picked up the other week so we've filled a little more of the garden by the entrance path. This was when we have the picture of Ming coming to say hello to us and see what was going on; I still cannot believe she's gone. Another great thing, as well as how brilliant the quality of the soil in the Raised Beds is now, is just how awesome that soil is in the Hugelkultur - it is so rich and dark I think maybe it WAS a worthwhile effort after all. The sunset was stunning and I ran up onto the roof terrace at top speed so as to not miss it.

Beautiful day to be outside

Louise sat at the table like a Ooman

Gaming on the balcony (briefly)

Louise being a parrot, Thelma being a torture

Thomas with his new boots on

Time for a BBQ!

The pupples chill while the BBQ cooks

Very excited for this BBQ sauce

Eaten eggs, probably by a rat

Bright moon rising

My Easter started on Friday and I was very good and didn't work. A was out to collect Thomas (I got the picture later in the day, which is why it is where it is in the picture order above) and when she was back we carried the table onto the balcony to play a game as it was glorious. Sadly after a very short time the gusts of wind, and they were only gusts, meant we had to move inside however he had a lot of fun and actually ended up playing again in the evening after our BBQ. It was our first of the year, and we got the special BBQ sauce out from Islay. It was Friday that we found Ming dead, and I also recovered a couple of eaten eggs from the Green Building. It was a glorious moon rise that we saw while relaxing on the sofa between games; it's so amazing to be back up in the Lounge again.

Another glorious firey sunset

A red moon arising

Just a wisp of cloud

Amazingly bright moon - hard to photograph

Yesterday was a working day, though not so much paid work. I had a super-productive morning doing stuff for my project with Lee, and then added a bunch of cool new features to the ArdaCon website. We made an abortive attempt to go and collect Pat (who also has her new shoes on) but rung and found that they were shut however this did mean we were able to give the Special One a lift to the train station. When I got out of the car to get cash Louise sang and howled and attracted the attention of the local pack, which caused Thelma to growl. We got a lot of laughs and smiles from the locals walking past. Other than that it was a pretty quiet day that ended in a very rare way for us; we spent the evening just being together - not playing games or on our computers, but sat talking and holding hands. What a lovely evening it was. Oh, and that MOON!

Sun, but it was so windy

It really was very windy

Hugely threatening clouds

The wind whipping smoke from the fire

CD case scenery - a road

Really tasty curry for dinner

End of play for the day

And so we get to today, and I'm right at the end of Sunday as I come back to finish this update. It's been another really good day today (I enjoy not working). We both had a very disturbed night with a huge storm that forced A to go to the spare room as the hat on the chimney was squeaking a LOT and then I went outside twice in the night to bring things in so they didn't blow away. We were both awake early this morning and I was helping a friend out with a sample website for his business while A did some painting and then went shopping. The wind was incredible for all the morning and a good part of the afternoon and when we were on the Roof Terrace it was actually strong enough that I retreated before we got into danger. The Little Lady came over with some guests as soon as  A got back from the shops and we had coffee and chatted for a bit. I've done some more modeling today with a little bit of painting and some scenery and then this evening, after an AWESOME curry, we've just played half of a game of SBG. A has now gone to bed as she's not feeling great while I'm finishing this and doing a little more hobby time before I head to bed. I've got Thelma with me as well and I'm kicking her ball

So there you are. There's a chance that Bekir et al will be back at some point this week so if that happens I'll be back more regularly. Otherwise I'll see you next weekend.